The unfolding enthalpy of the pH 4 molten globule
from sperm whale apomyoglobin has been measured by isothermal
titration calorimetry, using titration to acid pH. The
unfolding enthalpy is close to zero at 20 °C, in contrast
both to the positive values expected for peptide helices
and the negative values reported for holomyoglobin and
native apomyoglobin. At 20 °C, the hydrophobic interaction
should make only a small contribution to the unfolding
enthalpy according to the liquid hydrocarbon model. Our
result indicates that some factor present in the unfolding
enthalpies of native proteins makes the unfolding enthalpy
of the pH 4 molten globule less positive than expected
from data for peptide helices.